Collapsible kettlebell system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a collapsible kettlebell system featuring a collapsible bladder like structure that can be filled by a liquid such as water, metal shavings or shot, sand and other appropriate substances. A handle is provided as a point of grip by the user. The handle includes an internal support structure that keeps the collapsible bladder in place. The internal support may also include a cavity for an optional/additional weight.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/331,603, filed May 5, 2010, and entitled “COLLAPSIBLE KETTLEBELL SYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to exercise weights and weight training, and more particularly, to a collapsible kettlebell system.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a kettlebell is a weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. Kettlebells are believed to have originated in Russia, where the first recorded mention of a kettlebell occurred in a Russian dictionary around the early 1700s. The Russian word for kettlebell is pronounced “girya” and the men who lifted these weights were known as “gireviks.” Historically, kettlebells were manufactured from cast iron. Today, many companies produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs. Some conventional kettlebells feature adjustable weights or are rubber coated to improve safety. While today, there are sizes that range from 5 lbs to 175 lbs, the traditional Russian kettlebell is usually one which weighs 1 Pood (roughly 16 kg or 35 lbs).

Unlike traditional dumbbells, a kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand. This allows for swing movements not possible with traditional dumbbells. Because more muscle groups are utilized in the swinging and movement of a kettlebell than during the lifting of dumbbells, a kettlebell workout is said to be more effective, and yields better results in less time. Because the center of mass on a kettlebell “swings,” micro-muscles are needed to balance a kettlebell, more so than a dumbbell. The existence of a handle allows for “release moves,” which are not available to a dumbbell.

U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/0048362 to Liford et al., 2008/0081744 to Gormley, and 2009/0093348 to Wang disclose variations on the traditional kettlebell. However, these and other conventional kettlebell devices lack, among other things, a collapsible housing, i.e., bladder, for decreasing the size of the kettlebell when not in use and a handle that includes a cavity for receiving a fixed predetermined weight to increase the overall weight of the kettlebell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a collapsible kettlebell system featuring a collapsible bladder like structure that can be filled by a liquid such as water, metal shavings or shot, sand and other appropriate substances. A handle is provided as a point of grip by the user. The handle includes an internal support structure that keeps the collapsible bladder in place. The internal support may also include a cavity for an optional/additional weight.

In an embodiment of the invention, a collapsible kettlebell system comprises: a collapsible bladder, wherein the collapsible bladder comprises an opening for receiving or removing a weighted substance; a handle; an internal support member affixed to the handle; and a base plate, wherein the base plate can be detachably coupled to the internal support member. The internal support member may comprise an internal cavity for receiving an optional weight. The collapsible kettlebell system may be weighted by the weighted substance and the optional weight. The base plate may attach to the internal support member using screw threads. The opening may be adapted to receive a plug, the opening may comprise a plug receptor, and the plug receptor may comprise an O-ring. The opening may be adapted to receive a liquid or solid, where the liquid can include water. The handle may be removable for quick removal of the weighted substance.

In another embodiment of the invention, a device comprises; a handle; and a collapsible housing attached to the handle, the collapsible housing configured to receive a weighted liquid or solid, the handle and collapsible housing forming a kettlebell, The device may further comprise an internal support member comprising an internal cavity for receiving an optional weight. The device may be weighted by the weighted liquid or solid and the optional weight. The device may further comprise a base plate attaching to the internal support member using screw threads and an opening in the collapsible housing configured to receive the weighted liquid or solid. The opening may comprise a plug receptor, the plug receptor may comprise an O-ring, and the opening may be adapted to receive a plug. The liquid may comprise water. The handle is removable for quick removal of the weighted liquid or solid.

An advantage of the present invention is that the collapsible housing reduces in size when not in use for ease of storage. Additionally, the kettlebell is configured to receive additional weight to customize the kettlebell to the person or the workout.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates a kettlebell system according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the kettlebell system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the collapsible bladder according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the components of the kettlebell system illustrated in FIG. 1 according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views of the kettlebell system of FIG. 1 along a center plane according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a kettlebell system according an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the handle of the kettlebell system of FIG. 5 according an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-6, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the invention is described in the context of a kettlebell filled with liquid, the kettlebell can be filled with any liquid or solid material suitable for filling and draining and heavy enough to suffice as a weight.

The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a collapsible kettlebell system featuring a collapsible bladder like structure that can be filled by a liquid such as water, metal shavings or shot, sand and other appropriate substances. A handle is provided as a point of grip by the user. The handle includes an internal support structure that keeps the collapsible bladder in place. The internal support may also include a cavity for an optional/additional weight.

FIG. 1 illustrates a kettlebell system 100 according an embodiment of the invention. Particularly, the kettlebell 100 comprises a collapsible bladder 110 (e.g., collapsible housing, elastic holder, etc.) kept closed by a plug 115, a handle 120, and a base plate 128.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the kettlebell system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the collapsible bladder 110 according an embodiment of the invention. The collapsible bladder 110 includes an opening 114 and a plug receptor 117, configured to receive the plug 115, and for adding or removing a liquid such as water, metal shavings or shot, sand and any other substance that can fit through the opening 114. The handle 120 includes an internal support member 124, which may be fastened to a base plate 128 through screw threads 129. The handle 120 is configured to receive an optional fixed weight 130.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the components of the kettlebell system illustrated in FIG. 1 according an embodiment of the invention. The internal support member 124 of the handle 120 may include an internal cavity 125 for receiving the optional fixed weight 130. The collapsible bladder 110 further includes a top opening 116 and a bottom opening 118 for receiving the handle 120, the internal support member 124, and the base plate 128. The collapsible bladder 110 can be stabilized from the center (as shown) or in an alternative embodiment of the invention, from the outside perimeter, whereas the bladder 110 would not have a center opening.

FIG. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views of the kettlebell system 100 of FIG. 1 along a center plane according an embodiment of the invention. Here, the internal cavity 125 for receiving the optional weight 130 is shown.

In operation, the internal support member 124 is placed through the top opening 116 and is secured to the base plate 128 through the bottom opening 118. The collapsible bladder 110 is then filled with an appropriate substance through the opening 114. Once the collapsible bladder 100 is filled to a desired volume, the opening 114 is sealed by securing a plug 115 to the plug receptor 117. The plug 115 or plug receptor 117 may further include an O-ring 119 for preventing leakage of a liquid substance is used as the weight.

The handle 120 can be manufactured from any rigid material, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the handle 120 is manufactured from a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride. The collapsible bladder 110 may be manufactured from any elastic and/or collapsible material, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the collapsible bladder 100 is manufactured from a vinyl polymer or synthetic rubber such as neoprene or polychloroprene.

FIG. 5 illustrates a kettlebell system 200 according an embodiment of the invention. Particularly, the kettlebell 200 comprises a collapsible bladder 210 kept closed by a plug 215, and a handle 220. The kettlebell system 200 can attach and detach through male and female grooves on the handle 220, and do not need an internal support member or a base plate.

FIG. 6 illustrates the handle 220 of the kettlebell system 200 of FIG. 5 according an embodiment of the invention. The handle 220 is detached showing the male and female grooves of the male and female halves of the handle 220. In operation, the handle 220 can be detached and an optional weight can be added or liquid or another filling material can quickly be removed. Then, the male and female grooves of the handle 220 are aligned and connected through rotation.

It is to be recognized that depending on the embodiment, certain acts or events of any of the methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, rather than sequentially.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

1. A collapsible kettlebell system comprising: a collapsible bladder, wherein the collapsible bladder comprises an opening for receiving or removing a weighted substance; a handle; an internal support member affixed to the handle; and a base plate, wherein the base plate can be detachably coupled to the internal support member.
 2. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the internal support member comprises an internal cavity for receiving an optional weight.
 3. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 2, wherein the collapsible kettlebell system is weighted by the weighted substance and the optional weight.
 4. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the base plate attaches to the internal support member using screw threads.
 5. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the opening is adapted to receive a plug.
 6. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a plug receptor.
 7. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 6, wherein plug receptor comprises an O-ring.
 8. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the opening is adapted to receive a liquid or solid.
 9. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 8, wherein the liquid comprises water.
 10. The collapsible kettlebell system of claim 1, wherein the handle is removable for quick removal of the weighted substance.
 11. A device comprising: a handle; and a collapsible housing attached to the handle, the collapsible housing configured to receive a weighted liquid or solid, the handle and collapsible housing forming a kettlebell.
 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising an internal support member comprising an internal cavity for receiving an optional weight.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is weighted by the weighted liquid or solid and the optional weight.
 14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a base plate attaching to the internal support member using screw threads.
 15. The device of claim 11, further comprising an opening in the collapsible housing configured to receive the weighted liquid or solid.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the opening comprises a plug receptor.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein plug receptor comprises an O-ring.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the opening is adapted to receive a plug.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises water.
 20. The device of claim 11, wherein the handle is removable for quick removal of the weighted liquid or solid. 